Ash tray



Dec. 7, 1943. R. H. SEGAL 2,335,973

ASH TRAY Filed July 10, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I I INVENTOR. I9 iFflLFH H. 550m A TI'UKNEK Dec. 7,. 1943. R. SEGAL 2,335,973 ASH TRAY t 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1943 IN VEN TOR. F14! F71 h. 5564]..

Array/vex Dec. 7, 1943. H. SEGAL 2 33 ASH TRAY I v Filed July 10, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 AT TORNE K Patented Dec. 7, 1943 UNITED :STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,335,973 Y ASH TRAY Ralph H Sega], New York, N. Y. Application 'July 10, 1943, Serial No. 494,151

(o1.1s1-24o) 5 Claims.

This invention relates to ashtrays, and has for one of its primary objects, the provision of an ashtray incapable of supporting a cigarette'other than at a predetermined station or stations. The ashtray of my invention is preferably so constructed that when an attempt is made to place a cigarette at other places, it will roll off and fall into a well in said ashtray or onto the article upon which the tray is placed, and this will make it incumbent for the smoker to place the cigarette at a designated station.

The conventional ashtray is composed of a well whose outer walls generally allow for placement in a balanced position, of a cigarette, the lit end of which is usually placed over the well and the mouth end overhanging the outer edge. In this position, the weight of'the lit endof a cigarette, while being consumed, decreases, thus causing the cigarette to overbalance and topple off the ashtray onto table or any other surface on which it is resting, thereby causing scorching or even fires to come about.

Attempts have been made to improve the conventional ashtrays mentioned, by making the resting platform for the cigarette of much greater length, but here again, the length of the platform usually does not allow for the proper distribution of weight and the cigarette extending over this edge, would still fall ofi. In this tray, also, by reason of its length of platform, the moistened end of the cigarette usually rests on the glass on which other cigarettes were placed by other people, and then the sanitary angle comes into play. Also, in this sort of a tray, the cigarette, in burning on the glass top, causes condensation and a carbon formation on the cigarette and on the glass, causing the need of heavy cleaning, to the tray itself as well as causing a disagreeable taste to the smoker who continues to smoke the cigarette. x

Ashtrays were also made With a snuffer arrangement adjacent the well of the tray, and it was intended that the lit end of the cigarette projecting over the well when it had been consumed down to the edge of the snuffer, would automatically be extinguished because of lack of oxygen, or whatever the reasons may be. Here again, a situation may occur before the lit part of the cigarette reaches-the snufler end, where the cisarette becomes overbalanced as in the first example, and will topple off thetray, especially if the cigarette be of the size known as king size. Also, withthe snuffer tray, the cigarette must be re-lit every time the smoker wishes to use same,

and in doing so, he finds a moistened condition by condensation and carbon formation on the lit end of the cigarette, which causes a disagreeable taste to the smoker. Also in this tray, as in the other trays above mentioned, there are positions other than that designated for the cigarette to be lodged in, where the cigarette can be placed on a surface which is not controlled by side walls or by snufl'er arrangement, and here there is constant danger of the cigarette toppling on" and causing the aforementioned damage.

Further attempts to prevent improper toppling of cigarettes have been made by providing a cigarette tray wherein a well is surmounted by a pair of spaced-apart walls of a very thin dimension, with provision for the cigarette to be supported by bridging these thin walls, the lit end extending over the well, while the other extreme end or mouth part of the cigarette extends over the outer rim or wall, as mentioned. It had been thought that a cigarette placed in such position, while being consumed, would drop ,in the space between the outer and inner walls or supports around the well as soon as the lit end reached the first wall or support; but this has not always prOVen to be the case, because certain grades of tobacco produce a fairly rigid ash which does not allow the cigarette to fall, and the cigarette being consumed, carries the lit section through the cigarette, leaving the ash rigid over said edges, and carries over to the outer edge whereoverbalancing takes place, because the unburned portion of the cigarette is heavier than the ash, and the remaining part of the cigarette falls onto the table top or other surface.

Further attempts at improvement resulted in mechanical ashtrays such as the tilting platform type, where a cigarette which is lit; causes a reaction on two springs, causing the platform/to rise and tilting the cigarette into the well, but this is also subject to many deficiencies, such as for example, the cigarette can still overbalance itself and fall off this platform, before the lit end reaches the spring arrangement Then, there arealso the .clipper type of support, wherein a cigarette is held between two spring prongs hold: ing the cigarette in a clamped condition. What usually happens here is that the cigarette is bent out of shape, the tobacco loosened, and in many cases the springs, after much use, cease functioning.

Then, there is 'a type of cigarette tray where the supporting platform for a' cigarette is in the center of an ashtray. Here the cigarette is purely dependent upon a fulcrum support and where overbalancing takes place, the cigarette tilts ackward and falls into the tray if it is not too well filled with butts. In this tray, the cigarette, especially the month end of the cigarette, comes in contact with the ashes in the tray, or other butts, and the user will not further smoke this cigarette.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the various obnoxius and fire-hazardous conditions, as above referred to, It is, therefore, an object of'the present invention, to provide a tray which will given the smoker a properly designed platform which will preclude the moistened end of the cigarette from coming in contact with ashes or butts, and which will, allow him to pick up the cigarette as often as he can use same without re-lighting, and without the danger of burning his fingers; also, to provide a tray wherein the cigarette must be placed in specific locations which are aligned with safety finger grooves and traps, and provided with guide, flanges which will guide the cigarette, when it overbalances, into a trap, and restrain itv from falling off the tray onto a table top, or other support.

It is a further object to provide anv ashtray wherein the lit end-of a cigarette placed thereon remains lit, so long as there remains a conveniently' holdable smokable portion, allowing the smoker" to pick same up from the ashtray even though the cigarette assumes a tilted position, and to provide an ashtray in which the lit end of a cigarette never touches the tray until it has been sufficiently consumed to require snuifing.

, In accordance with this concept, I preferably have all the top or upper surfaces of the tray, upon which one might attempt to rest his cigarette, made with relatively sharp slopes, except at those points where specific provision is made to accommodate'the cigarette. These points or predetermined supporting positions are disposed well within the outer periphery of the tray, and comprise one or more raised parts, to the number desired, each having a groove for supporting a cigarette in a horizontal plane.

In one of the preferred forms of my invention, the invention partakes of a tray having an outer wall of continuously diminishing height, said wall, in whole or in part, circumscribing an ash-receiving well. The top of said wall consequently is in continuous slope and a cigarette placed at any point thereon will either fall into the well or onto the article upon which the tray is supported. All other top surfaces of the tray are also sloping, preferably in the direction of the slope of the outer wall at corresponding. points.

, The ashtrays of my invention have a platform for supporting. a cigarette in a horizontal position and a part spaced apart therefrom but in alinement therewith having a preferably inclined trough into which the butt end of the cigarette is arranged to fall when the cigarette drops from its horizontal support, as would be the case where the cigarette is permitted to burn long enough while resting thereon. In the gap between the horizontal support and the trough part is a well which has a dual function:

(1) it serves as an ash-receiver for the ashes of a cigarette whose butt end is accommodated in said trough, and,

(2) it enables the smoker to grasp the cigarette with his fingers, provided, of course, the cigarette is long enough.

Broadly, my invention comprises an ashtray having continuously sloping top surfaces, one or more relatively short cigarette supporting platforms, flanges or guide walls on the platform to guide the cigarette as it tips from the platform, a cigarette trap and a gap between the platform and the trap to admit the fingers for grasping the cigarette to continue smoking.

These features of invention, and others, are more clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top view of an ashtray embodying both main features of my invention alluded to above, with ancillary features.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig.. 4 is a. sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 1

Fig. 6' is a sectional view on the line.6..6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a slightly modified form of ashtray mainly differentiated from the tray illustrated in Figs. 1-6 by having a slope in a single direction as distinguished from Figs. 1-6; whichv slope in two directions.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view' on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a top View of still another form of ashtray having four stations disposed around a central wall.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 9. I

Fig. 11 is still another embodiment of my invention whose principal distinguishing feature from the trays shown in Figs. 1-6 and Figs. 7-8 respectively, is the provision of a pedestal-type of support as differentiated from the transverse ridge arrangement of said preceding forms.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line l3-I3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14' is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the cigarette platform and trough, illustrating the operation ofthe flanges on the platform in snuffing out or quenching the fireon av cigarette as it rests in inclined position.

Referring now more particularly to. the formshown in Figs. 1-6, the ashtray is substantially ovoid in shape, and has, an. outer wall In of continuously diminishin height. s clearly illustrat: d. in Fi in two directi ns. f om high p nts. ll. Sa d oute Wal in. pa t. c cu sc s the well and h encirclem nt said We l s om pla e by a transverse r ised par or id e 1. the top Qf which is provided with a groove l4. having relatively high side walls [5, in which groove is adapted to be accommodated a cigarette, supported, preferably, in a substantially horizontal plane. The top lateral surfaces iii, of said ridge part preferably slope down respectively toward the top surface of the outer wall portion, at that point. The surface I! of the outer wall is relatively steeply beveled so as to make it impossible to support a cigarette thereon. The top surfaces l8, of the high side walls l5, are also sloped so as to make it impossible to rest a cigarette thereon by laying it transversely across them. Should an attempt be made to do so, it will roll down. The slope may be in either direction. Spaced from said transverse ridge is a part l9 having a trough 20 in alinement with the groove M. The trough is wide and long enough to accommodate the butt end of a cigarette and deep enough to act as a snuffer. in order to guide the lit Cigarette resting in the groove l4 so that it will invariably fall into the trough, when permitted to burn long enough to become unbalanced, there are provided two apposed guide flanges 2|. Intervening the transverse ridge and the trough part is a well or gap 22, the sides of which are sufliciently spaced and formed to provide finger space to enable one to grasp a cigarette when thebutt end is accommodated in said trough.

These guide flanges 2 l together with the groove l4, have a further and distinct function for after the lit cigarette has beenoverbalanced and assumes the inclined position indicated in Fig. 2, the wings or flanges 2! will act as a snuffer as the burning end reaches these wings, thus to prevent the lit end from extending into the gap or finger-grip opening 22. Obviously, the cigarette may be picked up at any time before it is consumed up to the wings or flanges and may be smoked without re-lighting. It will be understood that the parts are so proportioned and arranged that the cigarette may be permitted to burn only so long as there still remains a conveniently smokable portion, as best seen in Fig. 14.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7-8, the ashtray there shown, is substantially triangular in shape and has an outer wall 3!! of continuously diminishing height from one end to the other, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 8. In addition, as a further insurance against the possibility of supporting a cigarette thereon, the top surface of the wall, particularly that portion of it which comprises one of the bounding walls of the well 5|, is steeply beveled transversely of the wall as at 32. As in the form illustrated in Figs. 1-6, there is a transverse ridge 33 having a groove 34 adapted to accommodate a cigarette in a substantially horizontal position. It, too, is provided with a trough 35 in alinement with groove 34 and an intervening well 36. As in the form Figs. 1-6, all top surfaces are in slope so as to preclude the possibility of supporting a cigarette at other than in the designated positions.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, these views illustrate a rectangular tray having four stations located about a central well 40. The top surfaces 4!, of said tray are in slope and have formed in them at the four stations, means for supporting a cigarette in substantially horizontal position, this means comprising a groove 42, having substantially high side walls 43, with apposed guide flanges 44, extending from said side walls; troughs 45, in alinement with grooves 42, and intervening wells 46, are also provided, all functioning in the manner described in connection with the description of Figs. 1-6.

In Figs. 11-13, the ashtray, instead of having a transverse ridge or part with a groove therein for supporting a cigarette, has a pedestal 50, rising from the bottom of the tray, with a groove 5i therein for supporting a cigarette. In alinement with said groove is a trough 52 with a well 53 intervening, said latter well being in communication with the main well so that any ashes which may fall into the intervening well 53 will find their way into the main well 54. In this form, the tray may be regarded as having a single well with the pedestal forming a sort of island therein. Here, too, the groove is bounded by high side walls 55, from which extend apposed guide flanges 56, as and for the purpose described in connection with the form shown in Figs. 1-6.

In each of the forms of my invention it will be seen that the traps or troughs 20, 35, 45, and 52 are all provided with flaring side walls to facilitate the guiding of the mouth end of the cigarette into the trough.

It will be seen from the above that I have provided an ashtray wherein a lit cigarette, in order to be supported, must be placed on a grooved platform where the mouth end of the cigarette projects over the platform and is free from contact with any part of the surface of the tray so long as there is a conveniently smokable portion remaining, and wherein, when this cigarette has been consumed suificiently to cause overbalancing, the mouth end of the cigarette will be tilted down and caught between the flared walls of a trap, in which position, the cigarette may remain lit and available for the user to pick up this inclined cigarette by reason of having a finger depression below the platform surface, and wherein if this cigarette is not picked up in time, the lit end will continue to travel down until it reaches the back end of the platform where the guide walls or wings will come into play as a snufier, to extinguish the flame.

Thus, it will be seen that the user of the cigarette can at all times pick up the cigarette without fear of burning fingers, as the lit end cannot go below the line of the snuffer part of the platform. If, however, a lit cigarette is placed by the smoker in the tilted position with its lit end below the wings or flanges of the platform support, then the lit end will continue to travel until it reaches the walls of the trap or trough which acts as a secondary snuffer to extinguish the cigarette butt.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An ashtray including a cigarette support having a groove therein with relatively high walls for the accommodation of a cigarette in a substantially horizontal position, said walls extending outwardly as guide flanges, and a part spaced therefrom having a trough in alinement with said groove, and constructed and arranged to receive the butt end of said cigarette as it overbalances and tips to an inclined position, said walls extending outwardly and downwardly beyond said support to serve as guide flanges while the cigarette is tipping and as a snufier of the lit end of the cigarette While it is in inclined position.

2. In an ashtray for supporting a lit cigarette, a part having a groove therein for the accommodation of the cigarette in a substantially horizontal position, said part having apposed outwardly and downwardly extending guide and snuffer flanges in substantial alinement with the walls of said groove, and a part spaced therefrom 'having a trough in alinement with said groove,

and constructed to receive the butt end of said cigarette as it overbalances and tips to an inclined position.

3. In an ashtray, a part having a groove therein for the accommodation of a lit cigarette in a substantially horizontal position, said part having apposed outwardly and downwardly extending guide flanges for quenching the fire on the end of the cigarette, said flanges being in substantial alinement with the Walls of said groove, a part spaced apart therefrom having an inclined trough therein, in alinement with said groove and flanges, arranged to receive the butt end of said cigarette when it falls from the horizontal position, and a well intermediate said parts to provide unobstructed fingerspace to enable the grasping of the cigarette when in the inclined position.

4. An ashtray having a well and a grooved platform adapted to support a lit cigarette overhanging said well in a substantially horizontal position, a trough spaced apart from said platform and adapted to receive the butt end of a lit cigarette tipping from said platform, the space between the platform and the trough being sufficient to permit of the grasping by the fingers, of a cigarette accommodated in said trough, said grooved platform having outwardly and downwardly extending flanges to guide the cigarette as it tips downwardly, into the trough, and to snufl' out or quench the fire on said cigarette,

thereby to prevent the fire from reaching the fingerspace.

5. An ashtray having an outer wall and having a well and a grooved platform adapted to support a lit cigarette overhanging said well in a substantially horizontal position, a trough spaced apart from said platform and adapted to receive the butt end of a lit cigarette tipping from said platform, the space between the platform and the trough being sufficient to permit of the grasping by the fingers, of a cigarette accommodated in said trough, said grooved platform having outwardly and downwardly extending flanges to guide the cigarette as it tips downwardly, into the trough, and to snuff out or quench the fire on said cigarette, thereby to prevent the fire from reaching the fingerspace.

RALPH H. SEGAL. 

